Single Publication

Retreat Fire

Fire Information: 509-213-4890    Email: 2024.retreat@firenet.gov

inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wases-retreat

August 3, 2024

Northern Rockies Team 1, Incident Commander Brent Olson

Location:  14 miles southwest of Naches, WA

Start Date: July 23, 2024

Cause: Under Investigation

Size: 34,759 acres

Containment: 37%

Resources: 676 Total Personnel; 6 Dozers; 17 Hand Crews; 42 Engines

Key Messages:  

The US Highway 12 corridor remains closed to public travel for both firefighter and public safety. Fire activity on interior pockets of unburnt areas has increased along the highway and fire affected large trees continue to fall across the highway at unexpected times. The highway is expected to remain closed for several more days.

Hot and dry conditions have settled in over the region this weekend and fire activity has increased in several interior areas of the fire. The combination of firing operations to secure indirect control lines along the north side of the fire and an increase in interior burning has increased the amount of smoke from the fire.

Current Status:

The Retreat Fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy prioritizing public and firefighter safety.

Containment lines on the south and east side of the fires continue to hold. Firefighters are patrolling and mopping up hot spots to further secure these lines. There were some areas of heat along the southern side of the fire that were cooled with helicopter bucket drops and Single engine air tankers.  Firefighters utilized the aerially delivered water to help secure the area. This work will continue today to make sure that these lines remain secure. 

On the southwest corner crews were able to complete firing operations along the previously constructed control line.  Pumps and hose lines are in place along this control lie to aid firefighters in securing and mopping up hot spots.  The structure protection crews pre-positioned pumps, hoses, and sprinklers around the structures at Camp Ghormley and along the Lost Lake Road as a precaution. Structure protection personnel also continued to patrol and extinguish hot spots near the structures along the Highway 12 corridor and cleared fallen trees and rocks from the highway as needed.

On the north side of the fire crews continued to utilize firing operations to secure the indirect control line continuing to work from east to west along the line. As ground crews progressed with firing operations to the west, aerial ignition was used to fill in the area between the active northern fire edge and the indirect line. This work will continue for several more days as a part of the plan to work towards containment of the fire.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

Hot and dry conditions were observed over the fire area on Friday with mainly terrain driven winds. Gusty west to northwest winds developed in the evening and persisted overnight. Cooler temperatures are expected today in the 80 to 92 degrees range with increased cloud cover and a 10% chance of a shower or thunderstorm in the area. Winds today will primarily be out of the west at 6 to 12 mph with gusts up to 18 mph.

Peak temperatures, an unstable atmosphere, and breezy winds could contribute to active fire behavior including short crown runs and short-range spotting. Unburned sparse fuels in sagebrush/grass fuel types picked up in fire behavior with creeping and single tree torching. Most fire activity is now in higher elevations with mixed conifer fuel types where fire activity increased from the previous day with group torching and short-range spotting. Active fire has been observed into the night and in early morning.

Closures and Evacuations:

For the most up-to-date information on evacuations, please visit Yakima County Emergency Management located at this link: Yakima Emergency Management website.

-US Hwy 12 remains closed between the Y at Hwy 410 and the summit of the Pass at milepost 151.

-Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Retreat Fire Closure: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices/?aid=89192.

-The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Southeast Region has temporarily closed the Ahtanum State Forest due to increased activity from the adjacent Retreat Fire burning near Rimrock Lake. The public can access the most up-to-date closure information at www.dnr.wa.gov/ahtanum.

-Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed the majority of the Oak Creek Wildlife Area to public access due to the Retreat Fire. The Oak Creek Wildlife Area is scheduled to remain closed until Aug. 23 to ensure public safety and facilitate firefighting efforts. More information can be found at Wildlife Areas | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

AIR QUALITY AND SMOKE

Air quality and smoke conditions and forecasts can be found at https://www.airnow.gov/

Resident Resources Before, During, and After the Fire:

There are many online resources available for Washington residents who are affected by wildfire.

Support for residents being affected by wildfires: https://afterthefirewa.dreamhosters.com/ 

Washington DNR Homeowner programs:  https://wildfireready.dnr.wa.gov/

https://www.dnr.wa.gov/cost-share